Our View: Prague is the right choice to lead agency

Saturday

Mar 30, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 30, 2013 at 7:33 PM

Does Connecticut need an independent state Department of Aging?

Does Connecticut need an independent state Department of Aging?
Probably not. The state already has sufficient bureaucratic agencies to handle issues related to the elderly and a legislative body with its own designated 12-member Aging Committee to advocate on behalf of older citizens.
Given that broad base of existing advocacy, eliminating the Department of Aging would seem to be a logical place to start in reducing the size of government and state spending.
But if the state is to have such an agency — which apparently the Governor and legislative leaders insist is necessary — then the selection of former state Sen. Edith Prague of Columbia to serve as its commissioner is the right choice.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, noting that by 2030 one in five of the state’s population will be at retirement age or older, announced his appointment of the 87-year-old former legislator to the post Thursday saying he is confident that she will make an immediate impact in developing policy initiatives to ensure the needs of a growing elderly population are met.
We have no doubt of that. There is no one in the state more dedicated to the needs of our older population or more experienced with the issues the agency will be involved in than Prague. Throughout her legislative career she has been a champion for the elderly.
She also served as commissioner of the Department Aging 20 years ago before former Gov. Lowell Weicker disbanded it. The agency, with a staff of 30, was re-established this past January — and primarily as a result of her advocacy.
Prague opted not to seek re-election to the Senate last year after suffering a minor stroke and on her doctor’s advice not to engage in stressful or exhausting situations, which political campaigning would certainly qualify.
At Thursday’s press conference, however, Prague showed no physical signs of any after effects of the stroke that might limit her ability to do the job. On the contrary, it was quite clear that she is not only able but anxious to get back to work.
Prague begins her new duties April 8, and we welcome her back to public service.
That’s our opinion. We’d like to hear yours. Email us your thoughts at letters@norwichbulletin.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.